Hollywood icon Gene Hackman’s will has surfaced just days after his cause of death was made public, and the details are already stirring controversy.
The French Connection star, who passed away from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease while battling advanced Alzheimer’s, reportedly left his entire fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
However, with Arakawa’s unexpected passing from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the situation has taken a dramatic turn. Hackman left his three children- Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth, out of his will, raising questions about their strained relationship. Now, reports suggest that legal battles may be on the horizon.
A Disputed Fortune?
According to TMZ, Hackman’s will, drafted in 1995, named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary. Despite his attempts to reconnect with them in recent years, he excluded his children. The timing of both deaths complicates matters, as Arakawa’s will specifies donating her assets to charity if she and Hackman die within 90 days of each other.
Gene Hackman SHOCKING TWIST: $80M Goes to Charity, Kids Get NOTHING! https://t.co/qQ49KWoR58
— iCkEdMeL
(@iCkEdMeL) March 15, 2025
With Arakawa gone and Hackman’s estate up for grabs, Christopher Hackman has reportedly hired a California estate attorney- an early sign of an impending legal challenge. Given that Hackman’s children are his living heirs, they may still have a claim to his fortune.
Public reactions remain divided. Some question why his children allegedly didn’t check on him, while others argue that people should respect Hackman’s final wishes. As legal experts weigh in, one thing is certain- this Hollywood inheritance battle is just beginning.
